Since its start in 1999, Disney pin trading has grown from a relatively niche hobby into a global community of collectors and traders. Whether you’ve been trading for years or you’re starting your first collection, now’s the perfect time to take a look back at how this fan-favorite phenomenon began, how far it’s come, and the exclusive pins that commemorate the occasion! Join us for this deep dive into how pin trading works and where to find them – including DisneyStore.com, where Cardmembers can save 10% on select Disney pin purchases when they shop using their Disney® Visa® Credit Card.0

The History of Disney Pin Trading

You can find collectible Disney pins at all the Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, at shopping locations, special pin stations — and even on the lanyards of Cast Members and Guests who might be looking to trade pin-for-pin! They can commemorate Characters, movies, attractions, events, even holidays, and often come in themed sets or series to make them optimized for collecting. Collecting and trading pins has been a tradition for more than 25 years now. But every tradition has to start somewhere!

In October 1999, Walt Disney World® Resort launched the first official Disney pins as part of its Millennium Celebration. A few months later, The Disneyland® Resort launched its own unique pin series in April 2000. In the following years, pins were launched at more Disney Parks, Disney Resorts and even Disney Cruise Line ships!

A Beginner’s Guide to Pin Trading

There’s an etiquette and an art form to pin trading, so remember the guidelines, no matter what level you’re at.

Only trade official Disney pins that feature “©Disney” on the back. Official pins will be metal, not other material like rubber or plastic. Tradable pins will come with their pin backing attached, and come in good, undamaged condition. Guests and Cast Members should only trade one pin at a time, and a total of two pins per Cast Member or trading boards, per day, should be traded.

Don’t attempt to trade money, gifts or anything other than another pin, for a pin. And remember: always ask before you touch, and trading is completely voluntary. Finding the right trade is part of the fun!

Girl pinning Olaf Pin onto her Jean Vest

Trading pins at the Disneyland® Resort

Guests can participate in pin trading resort-wide with Cast Members wearing lanyards or pin packs. Outside of the use of a lanyard, Guest pin trading is only permitted in Disneyland® Park near Westward Ho Trading Company from park opening to 3:00 PM daily (subject to change). Ask a Cast Member or refer to signs in the area for the exact location. Limit what you bring to one trading bag, and follow the steps and etiquette in the official guidelines.

Trading pins at Walt Disney World® Resort

Guests can participate in pin trading resort-wide with Cast Members wearing lanyards or pin packs throughout the parks and resorts, including Disney Springs®. Remember to trade only official Disney pins in good condition, and follow the steps and etiquette in these official guidelines.

lanyard with Disney Pins

25th Anniversary pin trading collection

What better way to commemorate 25 years of pin trading than with some special, limited-edition pins? Collectors won’t want to miss these pins!

Collectors edition pins on top of books

  • Mickey Mouse 25th Anniversary Trading Pin
  • Minnie Mouse 25th Anniversary Trading Pin
  • Chip and Dale 25th Anniversary Trading Pin
  • Donald Duck 25th Anniversary Trading Pin
  • Goofy 25th Anniversary Trading Pin
  • Stitch 25th Anniversary Trading Pin

Love the special anniversary pins and other pins featured throughout this blog? There’s more fun every Pin-Tastic Tuesday! Visit DisneyStore.com weekly to explore the newest pin releases and update your collection.

Disney Visa Cardmember Exclusive Pins

Cardmembers get more than exclusive shopping perks with their Disney Visa Credit Card: they get exclusive merch, too! As a Cardmember, you have the opportunity to obtain an exclusive Disney pin twice a year, giving you the chance to enhance your collection with rare, one-of-a-kind designs.

Where to Get Disney Pins

There are Disney pins and pin sets available for purchase all year round. Whether starting out, adding more or getting gifts for traders, you can find the newest and most exciting Disney pins and pin sets at these locations:

Guests at looking at pins

The Disney Store

Disney Pins are always available online at DisneyStore.com, featuring beloved Characters and destinations. There are also accessories available no collector can do without, like trading bags and wall displays!

The Disneyland® Resort

You can find popular Disney pins at the Disneyland® Resort, including pins exclusive to Disney parks, at the following shopping destinations:

Downtown Disney® District

  • Disney’s Pin Traders

  • World of Disney

Disneyland® Park

  • 20th Century Music Company
  • Emporium
  • Westward Ho Trading Company
  • Tomorrowlanding

Disney California Adventure® Park

  • Trolley Treats
  • Pan-Pacific Pin Traders
  • Radiator Springs Curios

Walt Disney World® Resort

You can find popular Disney pins at Walt Disney World® Resort, including pins exclusive to Disney Parks, at the following shopping destinations:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

  • Discovery Trading Company
  • Island Mercantile
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris Cart
  • Mariya’s Souvenirs
  • Mombasa Marketplace
  • Riverside Depot
  • Serka Zong Bazaar
  • Windtraders

Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

  • Celebrity 5 & 10
  • First Order Cargo
  • In Character
  • Keystone Clothiers
  • Mickey’s of Hollywood
  • Once Upon a Time
  • Resistance Supply
  • Rock Around the Shop
  • Sunset Ranch Pins and Souvenirs
  • Tatooine Traders
  • Tower Hotel Gifts

EPCOT®

  • Creations Shop
  • ImageWorks
  • Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay
  • Pin Traders – Camera Center
  • SeaBase Gift Shop

  • Test Track Gear Shop

  • World Traveler

Magic Kingdom® Park

  • Big Top Souvenirs

  • Curtain Call Collectibles

  • Emporium
  • Fantasy Faire
  • Frontier Trading Post
  • Main Street Cinema
  • Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar
  • Star Traders
  • Ursa’s Major Minor Mart
  • Ye Old Christmas Shoppe

Disney Springs®

  • Disney’s Pin Traders
  • Star Wars Galactic Outpost
  • World of Disney® store

You’ve collected all the info, now start collecting the pins! Be sure to use your Disney Visa Credit Card when shopping for your next pins at DisneyStore.com, as select purchases get 10% off at checkout!0 Happy trading!